Game ball shooter



Patented 9, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAME BALL SHOOTER Leonardo Cola luca, Sonierville, N. J. Application August 2, 1939, seria1 No. 288,048 3 Claims. (o1. 27s 129) The invention relates to a game board shutter and more especially to aball cue. v

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character-wherein the same can be mounted upon a game board particularly of that type shown in an application for U. S. patent filed August 2, 1939, and serially numbered 288,049, so that a ball can be sent for the striking of ten pins when set up, the device being such that an operator can take aim with a reasonable amount of accuracy so as to upset the pins in the'playing ofthe to a ball cue being subjected to tension so game of ten pins.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein the striker is in the form of a plunger and is similar that when operated itwill exert impact upon a ball forthe sendingof the'same' on its way and the ball can be sent in a straight course or at an angle deviating therefrom, the'device being readily adjustable for the setting thereof according to the requirements of an operator to have the ball take ,a course determined by such operator when traveling a runway.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein a ball to be sent in a course will be delivered into proper position for the shooting thereof and an accurate aim can be obtained in the use of the device for the sending of said ball in a, determined course. p v

A still further object o f the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is simple in its construction, thoroughly reliable and eflicient in operation, readily and easily handled, susceptible of adjustment and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

With these and other objects in view, the in,- vention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended. I In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a game board forming the subject matter of an application for U. S. patent filed August 2, 1939,

and serially numbered 288,049, showing the shooter constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view through the boardshowing the respectively, the bottom ll device in end elevation and partly broken away. Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through the device.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the 5 arrows.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, A desig- 10 nates generally a portion of a game apparatus which forms the subject matter of an application for U. S. patent filed August 2, 1939, and serially numbered 288,049, while B denotes generally theshooter constituting thepresent in- '15 vention and particularly adaptable for the said apparatus. This shooter B comprises an elongated substantially rectangular shaped box body In being closed at its bottom, sides, ends and top,

pivot bolt l2 which is separably engaged in a clearance therefor in the board of the game apdesirable construction while the outer end terminates in a pull knob and hand grip I? for the convenient operation of the said plunger l3 in'the use of the shooter. Surrounding the plunger E3 on opposite sides of an adjustable collarv 68 there- 1 on are the tensioning coils and buffer springs 19 and 28, respectively, these being seated against washers 2i fixed by abutment against the end 7 walls I 5 of the body It]. The spring I8 is for tensioning of the plunger I3 when the "latter is" pulled in a direction against the resistance of said spring and when this plunger is free from hand grip it impacts against a ball 22 for the sending thereof in a course upon the board of the apparatus A for game playing purposes.

under the tension of the spring 19 has been completed.

The plunger l3 between the grip l1 and the plunger l3 and in this way the activity'of the being fitted with a 20 a striking tip l6 of any 30 The 4 spring 20 functions to absorb impact and eliminate rebound of the plunger 13 when the stroke operation of the plunger is silenced to minimize hammer blow noises in the working thereof. This sleeve 23 cooperates with the spring purposes specified.

Built with the end wall H3 at of the body 10 is a ballrack 24 formed with a laterally extended gravity feeding chute 25 for the ball 22 to have it presented properly in the path of the movement of the plunger [3 to assure striking of this ball thereby in the working of the shooter. The rack 24 aligned with the path of movement of the plunger l3 in the body II) is formed with an outlet or discharge opening 26 for the ball 22 to allow its passage in a driving course when moved by operation of the plunger 13. At this opening 26 and built with the rack 24 is an inherently springy guard 21 which prevents the ball when gravitating the,

chute 25 from passing through the said opening 26 and freeing itself from the rack. In other words, this guard 21 retains the ball in shooting position within the rack 24 to be within the path of movement of the plunger iii.

The rack carries a sight 2i! enabling the user of the shooter to obtain accurate aim in the operation thereof for the shooting or sending of the ball 22 when playing a game. The pivot bolt 12 allows lateral swinging of the shooter to change it from a straight shooting aim to an angular aim thereto with respect to the straight aim.

The body ID at one side is fitted with a handle 29 being convenient for the operator of the shooter to properly hold the latter at a selected aim and also to maintain the said shooter steady and in a set position under adjustment when the plunger I3 is operated. I

The shooter in the use thereof enables an operator to reach accuracy in the aiming thereof for sending of the ball 22 when playing a game and for the arrival of a high scoring in the playing of such game as the shooter can be maintained steady and more so than when using an ordinary hand cue or where the plunger may be guided by hand control thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A shooter of the kind described comprising an elongated substantially rectangular-shaped box body closed at its bottom, sides, ends and top, respectively, a pivot bolt fitted to the bottom of said body for the swinging'thereof on a vertical axis in a horizontal path when the said bolt is engaged with a support, a striking plunger slidably fitted longitudinally of the body through openings in opposite ends thereof, a spring acting upon the plunger when pulled upon in one direction for tensioning the said plunger and effecting striking action thereof, a ball rack formed with the said body and laterally extended for disposition at substantially right angles to the path of movement of the plunger having a discharge 20 for the the inner end I opening in the path of said plunger, a gravity feeding chute within the rack at one side of the opening therein and inclined toward the said plunger, and an inherently springy guard on the rack and projected into the opening therein for eliminating the passage of a ball therethrough when gravitating the chute and freeing itself from the rack.

2. A shooter of the kind described comprising an elongated substantially rectangular-shaped box body closed at its bottom, top, respectively, a pivot bolt fitted to the bottom of said body for the swinging thereof on a vertical axis in a horizontal path when the said bolt is engaged with a support, a striking plunger slidably fitted longitudinally of the body through openings in opposite ends thereof, a spring acting upon the plunger when pulled upon in one direction for tensioning the said plunger and effecting a striking action thereof, a ball rack formed with the said body and laterally extended for disposition at substantially right angles to the path of movement of the plunger having a discharge opening in the path of said plunger, a gravity feeding chute within the rack at one side of the opening therein and inclined toward the said plunger, an inherently springy guard on the rack and projected into the opening therein for eliminating the passage of a ball therethrough when gravitating the chute and freeing itself from the rack, and a striking tip on the plunger for contact with the ball in the path of movement of said plunger and held by the rack.

3. A shooter of the kind described comprising an elongated substantially rectangular-shaped box body closed at its bottom, sides, ends and top, respectively, a pivot bolt fitted to the bottom of said body for the swinging thereof on a vertical axis in a horizontal path when the said bolt is engaged with a support, a striking plunger slidably fitted longitudinally of the body through openings in opposite ends thereof, a spring acting upon the plunger when pulled upon in one direction, for tensioning the said plunger and effecting a striking action thereof, a ball rack formed with the said body and laterally extended for disposition at substantially right angles to the path-of movement of the plunger having a discharge opening in the path of said plunger, a gravity feeding chute within the rack at one side of the opening therein and inclined toward the said plunger, an inherently springy guard on the rack and projected into the opening therein for eliminating thepassage of a ball therethrough when gravitating the chute and freeing itself from the rack, a striking tip on the plunger for contact with the ball in the path of movement of said plunger and held by the rack, and grips on the body and plunger, respectively, the grip on the body being at one side thereof.

LEONARDO COLALUCA.

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